Jackett Positive On Griffiths

Leigh was very positive to that and to the call and felt that he has the ability to come here and score goals"

Kenny Jackett

Head Coach Kenny Jackett believes Leigh Griffiths has the potential to make a positive impression at Wolves next season.

Jackett spoke to Griffiths shortly after taking the helm at Molineux and before the striker made his first senior start for Scotland against Croatia, telling him he was part of his plans and that he was looking forward to working with him.

And he has backed up quotes from the player himself that he is feeling positive about hopefully making a sustained impact with Wolves after successful loan spells with Hibernian, which included scooping a series of awards at the end of last season.

“Like most players he wants a chance and he’s positive towards that,” said Jackett.

“I told him I was impressed by what he did last season so well done, congratulations and I see his future at Wolves, and I’ll be looking forward to working with him.

“I hope he will have a good break because his season was extended, and that he comes back with a positive attitude, working hard to earn an opportunity here.

“He was very positive to that and to the call and felt that he has the ability to come here and score goals.

“And it’s not just the amount of goals he has scored but the type of goals he scores.

“People talk about free kicks, well it’s important to have a free-kick specialist in your club and it seems to me that he has the ability to take free kicks around the box.

“He takes corners and has a confidence level to do it but whoever he’s been playing for and been coached by has the confidence in him to do that.

“If you’re talking about a set-piece specialist, you do need one in the club.

“Whether you like it or not, a third of all goals for and against are scored from set-pieces at any level – World Cup tournaments or the Conference.

“A set-piece specialist - someone who can score from free kicks and have the confidence to hit good balls from around the box - is an important thing.”

Jackett also says every support needed will also be given to Griffiths as he looks to settle back in the area having not spent much time at the club since signing two-and-a-half years ago.

He added: “We hope as a club we can not necessarily mollycoddle him, or interfere, but help and support him to make the transition to England from Scotland.

“He has a lot of family and support structure up in Scotland which made it easy for him to go to Hibs and step straight in.

“That’s not necessarily here for him at Wolves but we think as a club we can help him in that direction and he can concentrate on his football and do what he does best which is play, and play impressively.”